The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) proudly honored an impressive lineup of over a dozen distinguished law firms, individual attorneys, and esteemed academic professionals during the esteemed 32nd annual Animal Law Conference in October 2024. These individuals received the prestigious Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award, Compassionate Counsel Award, and Animal Law Ally Award for their exceptional contributions to advancing animal rights through legal avenues.
ALDF’s Pro Bono Network stands as a monumental force in the United States, boasting thousands of dedicated law firms, attorneys, and paralegals who have committed their time and expertise to champion animal welfare. This network represents the largest coalition of its kind, exemplifying the legal community’s dedication to the cause.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award
The prestigious firms recognized with this award include Alston & Bird, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, Dykema, Fenwick & West, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, K&L Gates, Latham & Watkins, McDermott Will & Emery, White & Case, and Winston & Strawn.
Recipients of the Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award have significantly bolstered ALDF’s mission to protect the lives of animals and amplify their voices within the legal system. Their extensive pro bono work encompassed a variety of impactful legal battles, including lawsuits aimed at combating the inhumane conditions prevalent in roadside zoos, as well as unraveling a complex network of puppy mill brokers and transporters. These legal champions also played a crucial role in challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s issuance of an animal exhibitor license to a roadside zoo in blatant violation of the Animal Welfare Act. Their tireless efforts successfully thwarted a family of puppy traffickers from operating after they had negligently sold sick puppies, afflicted with viral diseases and parasites, to unsuspecting families. Additionally, their important legal research has fortified ALDF’s initiatives against unconstitutional Ag-Gag laws and the detrimental practices of factory farming.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Compassionate Counsel Award
The 2024 honorees, Tarak Anada and Nora Constance Marino, stand out as shining examples of volunteer legal professionals.
Every year, ALDF processes hundreds of urgent requests for legal assistance from both the general public and various animal protection organizations. The goal is to seamlessly connect these requests with members of our Pro Bono Network who can provide valuable support. Their assistance spans a wide spectrum, addressing issues such as wrongful designations of dogs as “dangerous,” cases of eviction linked to dog-breed discrimination, and helping animal shelters and sanctuaries navigate complex legal matters, including obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and drafting adoption contracts. Collectively, the dedicated members of the Pro Bono Network have generously contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to address these pressing issues, and the Compassionate Counsel Award recognizes their invaluable commitment. This year, honorees provided crucial assistance in cases involving wrongful “dangerous dog” classifications, cat adoption disputes, and families impacted by traumatic incidents involving the shooting of their dogs by neighbors or authorities.
Animal Legal Defense Fund Animal Law Ally Award
The distinguished recipients of the 2024 Animal Law Ally Award are Dr. Adam Feltz and Dr. Silke Feltz, whose contributions extend beyond the legal field.
This year’s honorees are recognized for their vital work as survey experts, whose research has highlighted the urgent need to challenge corporate animal agriculture practices that misleadingly market their products as “climate-friendly” to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Interested in becoming a part of ALDF’s Pro Bono Network? Learn more and apply as an attorney or paralegal, or discover additional opportunities for legal professionals to engage meaningfully in the field of animal law.
What initiatives does the Animal Legal Defense Fund have in place to support pro bono work in animal law?
**Interview with Tara Smith, Director of Advocacy at the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Tara. The 32nd annual Animal Law Conference recently took place, and it sounds like it was a significant event for the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the broader animal rights movement. What were some of the highlights for you?
**Tara Smith:** Thank you for having me! One of the most inspiring aspects of this year’s conference was honoring the incredible law firms and attorneys who received the Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award, the Compassionate Counsel Award, and the Animal Law Ally Award. Their commitment to animal welfare through legal work is truly commendable and gives us hope for the future.
**Interviewer:** Can you tell us more about the recipients of the Advancement in Animal Law Pro Bono Achievement Award and the kind of work they have done?
**Tara Smith:** Absolutely. The law firms recognized, including Alston & Bird, Dykema, and Winston & Strawn, have engaged in vital pro bono work that addresses severe issues across the nation. For example, they worked to expose and combat the inhumane conditions at roadside zoos and dismantled puppy mill operations that inflicted suffering on animals and unsuspecting families. Their legal efforts have been pivotal in challenging laws that undermine animal rights, such as the recent battle against Ag-Gag laws.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive and necessary work. The ALDF’s Pro Bono Network is an essential part of this effort. Can you elaborate on its significance?
**Tara Smith:** Our Pro Bono Network is indeed monumental. It comprises thousands of lawyers and paralegals across the U.S. who volunteer their time and expertise to champion animal welfare. This network is the largest of its kind, and it exemplifies the dedication of the legal community to amplify animal rights and ensure animals have a voice within the legal system. Without it, many of our initiatives would not have been possible.
**Interviewer:** Turning to the Compassionate Counsel Award, can you share a bit about Tarak Anada and Nora Constance Marino and why they stood out this year?
**Tara Smith:** Certainly! Tarak and Nora are shining examples of what it means to give back through legal expertise. They have both dedicated countless hours to urgent requests for legal assistance, proving that compassion and professionalism can truly make a difference in advancing animal rights. Their work exemplifies the very spirit of our mission at ALDF.
**Interviewer:** As we look to the future, what message do you hope to convey regarding the importance of animal law and advocacy?
**Tara Smith:** Animal law is an evolving and vital field. Our message is clear: every animal deserves protection and a voice. With the legal and volunteer communities’ unwavering support, we can keep pushing for the changes that will safeguard animal welfare and challenge practices that harm them. Together, we can ensure that legal protections for animals are not just laws on paper but are actively enforced and upheld.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Tara, for sharing these insights and highlighting the incredible work being done in the realm of animal law.
**Tara Smith:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important issues.